The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Friday, demolished a two storey building located on plot 4545 at SIL Estate, Mbora District, Abuja, for contravening the land use act and for being built on a plot designated as an open area.

Addressing reporters after the demolition, Muktar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control in the FCTA, described the building as illegal, saying many similar buildings would also soon be demolished in Lugbe, along Airport Road.

“As long as the department is concerned, the building stands illegal and we vowed to remove it. Thank God today, we have pulled it down.

“The demolished structure will be reverted to its original use. There is a provision for a muster point, if there is any eventuality this is the place where residents will converge as their safe haven before aid comes,” he said.

Mr. Galadima said the FCTA had reviewed the process of getting building approvals to 28 days, to ensure that people did the right thing, adding that the department would also establish Zonal Development Control offices, to further make it easier for prospective developers to get building approvals easily.

“We want to open zonal development control offices where you can just walk in and submit your drawings , all the necessary preliminary investigations can be done there and bring it for final approval.

“There is a need for us to have offices in Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Karshi, where people can submit their drawings,” Mr. Galadima said.

(NAN)